By Ann Treacy
If my church played music anything like Gospel Machine, I just might wake up early on Sunday to go. Although staying up late on a Friday night to see them at the Icehouse is a pretty good date too.Their music tells a story, sometimes a pretty dark story (Why Don’t My Mockingbird Sing), in a joyful way. The band consists of five members, four guys in black suits with an air of sixties cool and one shiny girl who isn’t afraid to go strong with voice, outfit or actions. As a special treat, three members of the Brass Messengers joined them on Friday night. In some scenarios a horn section (including a bass tenor!) would overpower the experience but like just the right amount of salt on good food – the horns just strengthened the original sound.
Lead singer, Jayanthi Kyle has a voice that befits a woman twice her size and knowing passion of a women twice her age. It’s booming, and she hits all of the high notes with crescendo, but she also manages the low notes with an apparently easy finesse. She is as much fun to watch as she is to hear.
Their songs feel like a progression of music I’ve loved through the years from Motown to Mod (Just Call Me is very reminiscent of The Jam’s Town Called Malice) or moody Ska (Them Young Girl Blues – reminds me of The Selector’s Pauline Black) with touches of modern influence – maybe even an Amy Winehouse feel to a song like That Ring.
The keyboards (played by Scott Munson) bring in much of the retro influence. Backup vocals (by Wes Burdine, who also plays guitar) are a subtle, but important part of the balance to Kyle’s strong lead. David Osborne on percussion and Jimmy Osterholt on bass round out the sound and enthusiasm.
I first saw Gospel Machine at Real Phonic Radio – a monthly Austin City Limits-type live show that is currently on hiatus. I liked Gospel Machine there – they were even better, this time, around with the added brass and proximity of their congregation! As a bonus, the show was being recorded for a future KFAI program – keep an ear out for the show if you want a quick uplift of joy.
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